South African Envoy Assails U.S. Human Rights Practices

The South African ambassador to the United States met with about 15 Harvard students yesterday in an off-the-record seminar sponsored by the Institute of Politics, for Harvard students spending the summer in Washington.

One of those who attended said the meeting led some of the students to believe that South Africa is headed inevitably to revolution because the ambassador, representing his government, appeared to have little understanding of the conflicts in his country.

Donald B. Sole defended his nation's apartheid practices and said South Africa is a "country of different nations. It is not a melting pot like the United States."

New Constitution

The South African government is presently drawing up a new constitution that includes goals of creating political equality and economic opportunity, and will move toward rectifying "things which were an affront to human dignity," Sole said.

When asked if the new constitution would defend political rights. Sole said that at this point, this problem is not clear.

Condemning the United States role in South Africa. Sole told the students that the U.S. government had "better watch out or South Africa will end up in Russian hands."

What?

"The United States is supporting Patriotic Front headed by an out-and-out Marxist," Sole said, referring to one of the leaders of the Patriotic Front of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.

Sole added, however, the United States is presently prepared "to risk American lives" in case of violence in the upcoming elections, which will take place at the end of this year.

In his half-hour speech, which preceded the question-and-answer period, Sole frequently referred to the threat of Soviet power in South Africa, and said he believes the Soviets are primarily interested in the mineral resources of South Africa.

Sole avoided speaking about South Africa's current political problems and possible economic boycotts due to that country's policy of apartheid.

Instead Sole pointed out the injustices that the United States has levied on American Indians and the inconsistencies in U.S. foreign policy in the Phillipines.

There is no country in Africa which has achieved more consistent lines on human rights," Sole said. He added that in South Africa, human rights concepts are applied to food, housing and employment, while the United States focuses primarily on political human rights. But a student said that black living standards in South Africa are in fact lower than in a number of independent African countries.

When asked if he thought singling out other nations' problems would make those of South Africa any better, Sole declined to answer.

Sole said he is optimistic about the future of Namibia, and said also he is confident that the Helms Amendment, which would end sanctions against Rhodesia, will eventually pass Congress. The House defeated the amendment by six votes last week